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New Receiver, Software To Blame

Are you waiting for the
Wide Area Augmentation System (WAAS) upgrade for your Garmin 430 or
530? You'll have to wait a little longer.

Garmin has announced another delay for the program to make its
400- and 500- series navigation systems WAAS capable. The avionics
manufacturer blames a major software rewrite, and changes in key
antenna and receiver components.

Garmin initially announced its intention to offer a WAAS upgrade
for older avionics in June 2003. That statement
said upgrades would be available by the end of 2004. WAAS consists
of a system of satellites and ground stations that provide GPS
signal corrections, giving pilots up to five times greater position
accuracy.

The avionics manufacturer says complexity of the project has
increased, as well as the R&D investment to design, build, and
certify the new WAAS-enabled GPS antenna, receiver, and associated
software.

"In spite of these challenges, Garmin is still committed to
delivering WAAS capability to our existing owners, as previously
promised," the company told ANN.

Garmin says it doesn't have a new estimated delivery date as of
yet... and it won't penalize those choosing to cancel an order
already placed.

The company says customers opting to upgrade their boxes to WAAS
will enjoy a faster processor, TSO C146a approval, and a one-year
warranty -- regardless of how old your system is.